One might think I'm exaggerating when I say the Earth will be ruined in 10 years.
But the reason I believe so is because those who are climbing the Tower with zeal currently fall into two categories.
There are heroes who risk their lives for the sake of humanity and madmen who can easily risk their lives just to become stronger. There's no in-between.
The problem here is the madmen.
They're likely diligently climbing the Tower and growing stronger and stronger.
Even now, I could probably win a gold medal if I participated in the Olympics. But what about after 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years?
What happens when a lunatic gains the immense power to part the seas or bring down mountains?
What if someone, just for "fun," can cause the Earth's destruction?
Humanity wouldn't stand a chance.
That's why I believe that in 10 years, humanity will be extinct.
The same reason modern political systems decentralize power applies here.
Concentrated power is strong but unstable, especially when vested in one individual.
Ultimately, the solution is simple.
Climb the Tower as quickly as possible.
Before people become overwhelmingly powerful, this Tower must be conquered.
To prevent the Earth's destruction as someone's mere plaything.
I observed the situation and waited for about a month.
『 US Government officially recommends climbing to the 2nd floor... 'Internal survival rate study shows it's not dangerous.' 』
It seems the floor embargo applies to players too, as I couldn't see the contents of the 2nd floor. Probably because I'm still on the 1st floor.
All I could glean was that it's relatively safe.
『 'Tower' Items: Future Food for Humanity?... Global corporations start investigations. 』
Ever since it was revealed that items could be brought out of the Tower, nations began systematically supporting Tower climbs.
Moreover, they began creating heroic images for players from their countries who showed visible results.
『 US Government launches Player Association... Inaugural president is 'Mighty Michael' Michael Jeter. 』
The US was the first to act.
They drafted special laws at an astonishingly rapid pace.
While the support for players was mainly providing special forces training, elevating their national profiles as heroes, and offering generous financial support, it was surprisingly effective.
Even though players living on the 1st floor could enjoy materialistic luxury, they weren't alone.
『 Superior Potion sold for 2 billion dollars at New York auction. 』
For their families, friends, or lovers, or simply to become heroes, the number of people registering with the Player Association increased daily.
『 Korea's Ji-won Choi receives presidential commendation... First in the nation to successfully climb the 10th floor. 』
A familiar name appeared in Korean news.
Ji-won Choi. It was only natural that this prodigious player stood out. The media repeatedly highlighted her father's achievements.
World governments promoted heroes for a simple reason: to appease their angry citizens. They needed tangible results to show they were taking action. The players were merely symbols for politicians.
『 China claims to be the first to successfully climb the 20th floor. Credibility is low. 』
At this point, there's no way to verify how far anyone has climbed.
Society hasn't improved. Super-powered crimes haven't decreased. But thanks to the heroes, the citizens could see a glimmer of hope.
Of course, if I wanted to, I could regress and stand beside Ji-won Choi. Or someday become the world's top player, monopolizing wealth and fame.
But I have a reason not to.
It might seem out of the blue, but survivors of the tutorial, officially known as "players," wanted to share their stories.
People who've undergone extreme experiences are mentally exhausted, and they sought comfort by sharing their tales. Only players can truly empathize with other players. It was somewhat inevitable that a site called 'PlayerNet' was created.
The reason I suddenly bring up PlayerNet is simple.
My story was posted there.
I've read all the tutorial-related posts you guys wrote, okay? Seriously, everyone seemed to be on the brink of death, fighting... It all felt so intense.
But I never fought. To be precise, I did nothing during the tutorial. Seems impossible, right?
I still wonder how that happened.
At first, I woke up in an open space just like you all did. I was so out of it until that fairy-like creature showed up that I just sat there in a daze.
Then suddenly, some guy stood up. I don't remember his name, but he had this captivating aura. Not exactly handsome, but there was something magnetic about him, you know?
Anyway, he started rallying everyone, but I was too busy admiring his face to listen. Then, out of nowhere, he starts dancing with a knife.
Honestly, I've never seen anyone use a knife so skillfully in my life. It felt overwhelming? After his display, he seemed different, cool but also slightly intimidating.
I was a bit scared and just sat there, but then he had a discussion with some woman, told us to wait, and vanished after cutting some grass. He returned about an hour later, instructing us to follow him.
When I did, there were literally thousands of goblins fighting amongst themselves, and he told us to just walk past them, ignoring them;;
I was terrified, contemplating running away, but then thought "screw it" and followed him. I felt that guy had a plan.
But when we arrived, there was this giant bull-headed monster, holding an axe, as big as a truck. Seeing it, I instinctively recoiled.
Suddenly, the bull-monster charges at me;; I was panicked, running away, but some middle-aged guy grabbed me, telling me to look behind.
When I did, the bull-monster's head was rolling on the ground;;
Then a goblin shaman or something fainted, and a portal opened. Since I did nothing in the trial, I was simply let go without charges.
I'm glad to be alive, but it feels weird. I'm too scared to climb to the 2nd floor.
If that guy suddenly decides to kill everyone, I doubt I'll survive.
- You kidding? You expect us to believe that?
- It's true. I was in the same tutorial with him. Everything said is factual. By the way, that 'certain woman' mentioned turned out to be Ji-won Choi. That guy was stronger than Choi.
- I've seen the bull-monster too. It felt like even a thousand people would stand no chance against it.
- If this is true, isn't that guy a regressor? How could a newbie in the Tower do all that?
- Right. Maybe he's already seen Earth's end once and used a regression artifact to return. Perhaps he's monopolizing hidden pieces.
- If anyone has contact info for the person in the story, I'll pay. Please DM.
I no longer wished to play the hero.
More precisely, I intended to lay low as much as possible.
Even if there's a chance to utilize my heroic trait, I plan to keep my identity hidden.
I revealed too much during the tutorial. So focused on saving everyone, I unwittingly made a grave mistake.
Arguably, the greatest vulnerability of an almost invincible regressor is 'being discovered as a regressor'.
Why? Because there's a clear counter to regressors.
It's called sealing.
Dead regressors aren't afraid. With the confidence that they can just restart after death, many are recklessly bold.
But here, if a regressor gets sealed by magic, items, or whatever? Their regression halts.
After death, the chance to restart is taken away. They remain frozen until the end of the world, or perhaps even beyond.
Time flows as it always does.
Of course, my regression condition is much lighter. A mere scratch triggers my regression. If I harm myself before being sealed, maybe I can avoid it. Or perhaps during the sealing process, I might get injured and regress.
Regardless, nothing good comes from being known as a regressor. I never know when or where some maniac might target me. However, I haven't given up on my dream of achieving fame and reputation.
My goal... is to subtly build a rapport with the top heroes of the Tower, including Ji-won Choi.
I aim for a relationship where we know each other but aren't super close. Close enough that it doesn't harm my mental state.
I believe that if they are heroes who climb the Tower with pure intentions, they will support me indirectly, even if they don't know of my deeds.
Once they conquer the Tower and are treated with respect, I hope to have a place beside them.
To summarize... I plan to climb the Tower as quickly and secretly as possible.
And for my goal, there was one thing that needed to be done first.
That is to strengthen myself.
I need to become as strong as possible. And climb the Tower as fast as possible.
After quickly skimming through the news to fill my head with information, I punched the back of my hand hard.
[ You've taken damage. ]
[ You will regress to the moment you first entered the 1st floor. ]
"Ugh, it's a bit dizzy doing this after so long."
Is this regression after two months?
In fact, I've been extremely cautious all this time, fearing I might regress by mistake. I even put up mosquito nets to avoid getting bitten and attached foam protectors to hard furniture.
I managed to stay safe for two months, but this sensation feels so unfamiliar now.
But I'll get used to it. I planned to regress frequently now.
"Let's get started."
At this moment, I've just entered the 1st floor.
It's the exact moment right after receiving the 'Warrior's Elixir' from the angel.
Without hesitation, I swallowed the 'Warrior's Elixir' I held in my hand.
[ Strength stat has increased by 10! ]
A hot surge emanates from deep within my body, and sweat forms on my skin.
However, other than the message indicating the stat increase, the elusive stats window remains hidden.
You sneaky thing. Planning to hide until the very end?
That's okay. Even if I can't see it, the fact that the stat has increased is what's important.
Once again, I hit the back of my hand.
[ You've taken damage. ]
[ You will regress to the moment you first entered the 1st floor. ]
Again, I looked at the 'Warrior's Elixir' in my hand.
The reason I didn't immediately swallow the 'Warrior's Elixir' given by the angel is...
For an infinite regressor, elixirs are the most valuable things. If you know their location, you can consume them repeatedly.
A senior regressor I know, Senior Baek Mo, always started his regression by first collecting the hidden elixirs in Yongsan.
Of course, I can't infinitely increase my strength stat with this elixir... but that's okay.
Just the fact that I can maximize my strength up to a certain limit provides a tremendous advantage.
Gulp!
I downed the 'Warrior's Elixir' in one go.
From now on, there's no situation where I'd be overpowered. A head-on confrontation? I'll overcome everything with sheer power.
As I envisioned a bright future and reviewed my plans,
"...Cough!"
Something wriggled in my throat.
I definitely swallowed it, but the 'Warrior's Elixir' seemed to be alive, trying to come back up my esophagus.
[ Unique items cannot be consumed in duplicates. ]
"...Sigh"
I let out a disappointed sigh after reading the message in front of me.
God, this guy...
He put a limit on this...